Prayer of the Day

O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW)

Acts 2:1-21

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Pastor Meggan Manlove’s reflection on Acts 2:14-21

1 of 3 meditations for Treasure Valley Cluster Worship

“Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.” A prophet is neither a fortune teller nor a foreteller. Prophecy is truth-telling. It is naming the places and ways where God intervenes or initiates in the world. Prophecy is part of proclaiming the word of God and identifying God’s salvation and healing at work.

Today, we learn what it means to be a prophet by watching Peter do it. He speaks to the present question, “What does this mean?” He finds promises and images from the past. Peter also points to the future, the day of the Lord. Prophets show how present events might connect to God and God’s purposes.

All of us who claim to follow Jesus are prophets of a sort. We are interpreters of both our present time and the good news of Jesus Christ. This role should not surprise us. Peter refers to a community full of visionaries and dreamers. He is not the only one equipped to make meaning. The work belongs to all who receive the Spirit, which is what we proclaim happens in the waters of Holy Baptism.

That may seem daunting, to be a truth-teller, a prophet. We can be grateful that the message is always more powerful than the messengers. And yet, it takes care, this meaning making. We know all too well that the gospel has been distorted in every century.

I believe that right now the world needs as much enlightenment and wisdom and listening as we can bear. We need multiple conversation partners and stories of lived experiences. We need to reflect on individual scripture passages and keep in mind the entire biblical narrative. We need to hear how our next-door neighbors are experiencing the pandemic and read what it is like on the streets of San Salvador, Hong Kong, rural Kenya, and the Australian Outback. We need to listen most intently to those who are currently suffering the most.

And me are wise to be silent and still and listen to what is in our very own hearts. We might find a truth that becomes our gift to the world.

God is not contained in any one people, in any kind of place, or in any one tradition, as that cosmopolitan crowd in Jerusalem surely began to discover. Give thanks for your conversation partners. And give thanks for the Holy Spirit, who transformed Peter from a faithful but sometimes blundering disciple to a prophetic apostle. The same Holy Spirit moves through the church this day, helping us make meaning, call out injustices, and speak a word of love and hope that the world so desperately needs.

Prayers of Intercession (Immanuel, Boise)

Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all
times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.

We call on your spirit of unity, giving thanks for our different ministries within and among
the Lutheran congregations in the Treasure Valley. Activate and utilize the diverse gifts
present in your Church, that they reveal your love for all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our
prayer.

We call on your spirit of life, present in air, wind, humidity, storms, and oxygen in our
atmosphere, breathing energy into all things. Heal with your breath the whole creation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We call on your spirit of righteousness. Wherever we as a people are divided, unite us.
Wherever we are prideful, humble us. Give each one of us a heart for justice and empathy.
Guide federal, state and local officials with the wisdom to lead by faith, not fear. Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.

We call on your spirit of healing. Bless servants, volunteers, government workers and
members of the military who are working to make a safer and more peaceful world for all.
Please be with nurses, doctors, midwives, chaplains, counselors, and hospice workers as
they care for those in need. We pray for all who long for comfort especially those we name
in our hearts before you now………………… Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We call on your spirit of accompaniment. Thank you for being with students who have
made it through a difficult academic year filled with changes, cancellations,
disappointments and stress. May the summer give them a time to recreate and relax,
restoring their bodies and spirits. Let your healing wings protect students, teachers and
administrators for the upcoming fall school year. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We call on your spirit of hope. As you have led your saints in all times and places, stir in us
the desire to follow their example, leading us from death to new life in you. Lord, in your
mercy, hear our prayer.

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your
eternal care; through Christ our Lord. Amen.